Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms

Background: Ovarian neoplasm refers to any tumor that originates primarily in the ovary. Epithelial ovarian neoplasms are the most common type of ovarian tumor and are classified based on their histogenetic and immunophenotypic features. However, treatment modalities based on this classification hav...

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Main Authors: Noha Hassab El-Naby, Amr Abdelkareem, Hatem Awaga, Alshimaa Abdelall, Maisa Mohammed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine 2025-06-01
Series:Research in Oncology
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Online Access:https://resoncol.journals.ekb.eg/article_410257_d2f6f6faf03b61cdb15fdab0ce3bff4a.pdf
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author Noha Hassab El-Naby
Amr Abdelkareem
Hatem Awaga
Alshimaa Abdelall
Maisa Mohammed
author_facet Noha Hassab El-Naby
Amr Abdelkareem
Hatem Awaga
Alshimaa Abdelall
Maisa Mohammed
author_sort Noha Hassab El-Naby
collection DOAJ
description Background: Ovarian neoplasm refers to any tumor that originates primarily in the ovary. Epithelial ovarian neoplasms are the most common type of ovarian tumor and are classified based on their histogenetic and immunophenotypic features. However, treatment modalities based on this classification have shown limited improvements in patient outcomes. Engrailed (EN)-2 was first identified as a regulator of embryonic neural development and later found to be expressed in various non-neural epithelial tumors.  Aim: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the EN-2 gene in epithelial ovarian tumors by comparing the expression of EN-2 protein in functional ovarian lesions and ovarian epithelial neoplasms. It also aimed to correlate EN-2 expression levels with factors such as patient age, tumor size, and carcinoma grade. Methods: Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ovarian tissue blocks from 47 women who underwent oophorectomies for various gynecological indications were examined. Two tissue sections were obtained from each block: one was stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and the other was immunohistochemically stained with an anti-human EN-2 antibody. Results: EN-2 was overexpressed in malignant ovarian neoplasms compared to benign tumors and non-neoplastic lesions (p < 0.0001). The expression of EN-2 was significantly associated with older patient age (p=0.003) and larger tumor size (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: EN-2 is aberrantly expressed in epithelial ovarian neoplasms, with increased expression observed in malignant tumors and larger tumor sizes, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma.
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spelling doaj-art-49679e0c895c4a59b82c0fec4b6744fe2025-08-20T03:22:07ZengKasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-06872357-06952025-06-0121111010.21608/resoncol.2025.273557.1206410257Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian NeoplasmsNoha Hassab El-Naby0Amr Abdelkareem1Hatem Awaga2Alshimaa Abdelall3Maisa Mohammed4Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptMedical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt.Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptBackground: Ovarian neoplasm refers to any tumor that originates primarily in the ovary. Epithelial ovarian neoplasms are the most common type of ovarian tumor and are classified based on their histogenetic and immunophenotypic features. However, treatment modalities based on this classification have shown limited improvements in patient outcomes. Engrailed (EN)-2 was first identified as a regulator of embryonic neural development and later found to be expressed in various non-neural epithelial tumors.  Aim: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the EN-2 gene in epithelial ovarian tumors by comparing the expression of EN-2 protein in functional ovarian lesions and ovarian epithelial neoplasms. It also aimed to correlate EN-2 expression levels with factors such as patient age, tumor size, and carcinoma grade. Methods: Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ovarian tissue blocks from 47 women who underwent oophorectomies for various gynecological indications were examined. Two tissue sections were obtained from each block: one was stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and the other was immunohistochemically stained with an anti-human EN-2 antibody. Results: EN-2 was overexpressed in malignant ovarian neoplasms compared to benign tumors and non-neoplastic lesions (p < 0.0001). The expression of EN-2 was significantly associated with older patient age (p=0.003) and larger tumor size (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: EN-2 is aberrantly expressed in epithelial ovarian neoplasms, with increased expression observed in malignant tumors and larger tumor sizes, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma.https://resoncol.journals.ekb.eg/article_410257_d2f6f6faf03b61cdb15fdab0ce3bff4a.pdfengrailed-2epithelial ovarian neoplasmsovarian cancer
spellingShingle Noha Hassab El-Naby
Amr Abdelkareem
Hatem Awaga
Alshimaa Abdelall
Maisa Mohammed
Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
Research in Oncology
engrailed-2
epithelial ovarian neoplasms
ovarian cancer
title Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
title_full Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
title_fullStr Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
title_full_unstemmed Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
title_short Immuno-reactivity of Engrailed (EN)-2 in Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms
title_sort immuno reactivity of engrailed en 2 in epithelial ovarian neoplasms
topic engrailed-2
epithelial ovarian neoplasms
ovarian cancer
url https://resoncol.journals.ekb.eg/article_410257_d2f6f6faf03b61cdb15fdab0ce3bff4a.pdf
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